To propagate infection, COVID-19, flu and RSV produce spherical shaped virions which are transmitted within respiratory droplets, spread via direct contact, coughing or sneezing 3,4. This segmented genome enables antigenic shift, in which segment reassortment can occur with other circulating human and animal viruses, this can create a new strain of the virus which has novel antigenic surface proteins and gives it the capability to easily infect individuals 2. Furthermore, the RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2 and RSV is unsegmented however, the influenza genome is separated into 8 single stands of RNA. In fact, the SARS-CoV-2 genome is currently the largest identified animal RNA virus, mainly due to its ‘proof-reading’ capabilities which identifies and corrects errors that arise during viral replication 1.Īll three viruses have single stranded RNA as their genetic material however, the genome of influenza and RSV is negatively sensed, whereas the SARS-CoV-2 genome is positively sensed, which gives this virus the ability to function as messenger RNA and the genome can be directly translated into protein inside the host cell. Read on to learn more about each virus and how they differ.ĬOVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), the SARS-CoV-2 genome of 29.9 kb is significantly larger than that of influenza and RSV at 13.5 kb and 15.2 kb respectively (see table). Understanding these viruses, their genomes and mechanisms of infection helps us to reduce the rate of viral transmission and improve patient care.
These differences allow us to design tests to distinguish between viral infections that appear the same from symptoms and develop treatments and vaccines specific to each. These three viruses share similarities including causing similar symptoms, being highly contagious, and increased transmission in colder months, however their viral genomes and particle structures are uniquely different. Respiratory infections are commonly caused by viruses and at present the three most common respiratory viruses within the UK are coronavirus (COVID-19), influenza virus (flu) and respiratory syncytical virus (RSV). These differences allow us to design tests to distinguish between these viral infections and develop treatments and vaccines specific to each. Despite causing similar symptoms, there are key differences between COVID-19, flu and RSV such as the size and structure of the viral genomes as well as the virion proteins.
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